
Well, it looks like the Justice Department is taking a good, long look at Elon Musk’s latest venture—his super PAC, America PAC, and its daily $1 million giveaway in battleground states. If you thought Musk was just here to shake up the tech world, think again. Now, the guy with $240 billion to his name is playing politics like it’s one of his start-ups, and some people in Washington aren’t too thrilled about it.
The Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section, which deals with all things election-related, sent Musk’s PAC a little love letter, warning that his flashy contest might be skirting a bit too close to election law violations. The accusation? That offering huge sums of cash tied to voter registration in key swing states might just violate the ban on paying people to vote or register. And this is no small-time complaint—a group of former prosecutors and government officials have been piling on, asking for an official investigation.
Lawfare as expected by the Biden/Harris DOJ pic.twitter.com/cK8jhDAybt
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) October 23, 2024
But, of course, it’s all very vague right now. The Justice Department won’t comment, and neither will America PAC’s treasurer (probably too busy counting that sweet Musk money). But what we do know is that legal experts are torn, calling this whole stunt a “gray area.” Some, like Matthew Sanderson, an election law expert, say the contest doesn’t exactly break the law—but it doesn’t really follow it either. Welcome to the wonderful world of political loopholes, folks.
Here’s how it works: the daily lottery has two main requirements. You’ve got to be a registered voter in one of seven swing states (Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin) and sign a petition supporting free speech and gun rights. In other words, Musk wants a million registered voters to sign off on the First and Second Amendments. And let’s be honest, we all know who that voter base is leaning toward—hint: it’s not Biden.
But wait, there’s more! To sweeten the deal, winners also have to become spokespeople for the petition, appearing in short videos where they express their love for the Constitution—and, conveniently, for Donald Trump. It’s no surprise that several of the winners so far have been very vocal Trump supporters. This PAC isn’t shy about its ultimate goal: getting Trump back in the White House, and Musk has already endorsed Trump for 2024.
Signing our petition in support of the 1st & 2nd amendments to the Constitution is all it takes! https://t.co/OXyD3TpsZL
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 20, 2024
And let’s not overlook the timing here. Musk just announced this cash giveaway at a town hall in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, saying he’ll keep it going until Election Day. He’s already named four winners, and he’s out there making last-minute stops in battleground states, boosting voter registration and praise for Trump while stirring the pot with conspiracy theories. It’s a high-stakes gamble, and Musk, who isn’t exactly short on cash, is playing for keeps.
Governor of my home state, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, is actually threatening to have Elon Musk ARRESTED simply for giving away $1,000,000 to random people who sign a petition to support the Constitution.
The Democrats are the real threat to Democracy! pic.twitter.com/rhVFMqYPbH
— Gays For Trump (@GaysForTrump24) October 21, 2024
The big question now is whether the Justice Department will actually take action. America PAC insists that everything’s legal, but the pressure is mounting. Meanwhile, Musk keeps the money flowing, reminding everyone that when it comes to politics, he’s not just a player—he’s looking to rewrite the rules.